Stephanie Gauthier - Contributor

Life has few universal truths, but Carly La Berge has discovered one of them - the unifying power of chocolate.

鈥淧eople run up to us saying, 鈥榗andy, candy, candy,鈥� says La Berge, describing her work as a volunteer lead with HOPE Outreach in 琉璃神社. For many of those La Berge helps in the community, that piece of chocolate can be the highlight of their day.

Since September 2019, she has spent as many as four evenings a week volunteering with HOPE. She dons her bright, pink hoodie, then heads downtown to meet other volunteers and together they hand out goods to people experiencing homelessness. These goods include water, food, warm clothing, harm reduction supplies, and just about anything else someone might need. The volunteers also take requests for items to bring with them next time.

鈥淧eople may not get as excited for these other items as they do for the chocolate, but those are the things that are really important,鈥� says La Berge. 鈥淭he chocolate is mostly a token of trust.鈥�

While the chocolate does help to build trust, her pink hoodie is just as important. It鈥檚 the calling card of HOPE Outreach volunteers and is recognized as a symbol that the person wearing it is trustworthy and there to help.

鈥淚鈥檝e met clients out when I鈥檓 not volunteering and they鈥檙e a lot more hesitant with me than when I鈥檓 wearing the pink hoodie,鈥� adds La Berge.

She points to HOPE founder Angie Lohr as another important part of that trust-building. Angie has personal experience with homelessness, substance use, and sex work. La Bergewas introduced to HOPE after hearing Angie speak at a conference.

鈥淪he was the reason I got involved,鈥� says La Berge.

It also gives HOPE credibility in the eyes of the people they serve.

鈥淧eople who experience homelessness generally face a lot of stigma and a lot of hostility,鈥� explains La Berge. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e slow to trust new people, and that鈥檚 totally understandable. I鈥檇 be reluctant to take food from a random person, too.鈥�

HOPE Outreach is always looking for new volunteers.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to have special credentials to volunteer,鈥� says La Berge. 鈥淚 made the mistake of thinking that and it kept me from getting involved with HOPE for years. It doesn鈥檛 matter how old or young you are, you can help.鈥�

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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